There’s a difference between the big, noisy matchday support that makes Ibrox what it is and a minority who use the stadium to air grudges from long ago. You can see why people cling to songs and chants as a badge of belonging – especially in a place like Glasgow with its particular history. But that doesn’t excuse letting a few voices hijack the mood of the ground.
It’s tribal more than religious now
Stevie’s point about social context rings true. For many, the chanting is less about faith and more about loyalty to a tribe. It’s a simple way to say “I’m one of you” and sometimes people don’t even think about the wider meaning. That doesn’t make it harmless, though. When songs keep pulling the club back into old divisions, it spoils the day for other fans who’ve come to watch a football match and not relive the past.
Silence hands control to the loud minority
When clubs, stewards or senior voices don’t tackle those moments, it comes across as acceptance. The quieter majority don’t want rows on a Saturday; they want a clean matchday. But silence from the top lets the loudest crowd think they own the place. That’s why consistent action matters more than one-off statements. If the club makes its stance clear and follows through, the message reaches everyone.
Why change is hard — and still necessary
I’ve sympathy with the club. Asking fans to abandon songs that tie into identity is a sensitive ask. Criticism can feel like an attack on family or history and that makes any intervention explosive. The truth is we need steady, sensible pressure rather than grand gestures. Keep calling it out, offer alternatives that celebrate the club, and keep the focus on the football. It won’t be solved overnight, but doing nothing isn’t an option either.
It’s a tricky, emotional debate. I don’t have all the answers, just the feeling that silence helps the problem. The club needs to be clearer and more consistent, because most of us just want to enjoy the game without being dragged back into old arguments.
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